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A world famous dam within Tsavo

Philip Mwakio

For nature lovers, it is an ideal getaway and provides an opportunity to mingle with the wild while relaxing and enjoying diverse attractions.

The Aruba dam is man-made and the world’s third largest nature conservation.

The dam within the Tsavo eco-system has regained its popularity after an investor put up a star rated lodge next to it.

The now increasingly famous Ashnil Aruba Lodge straddles on one side of the dam that serves as watering hole for a variety of wildlife including rare migratory birds said to come from as far as Australia.

An invitation to sample both the lodge and the nearby dam took us to the centre of Tsavo where Aruba dam lies.

After about an hour’s drive from Mombasa, we branched off and entered Tsavo East National Park through the Bachuma Gate.

Renewed vegetation

As we drove inside the park, we could not differentiate between tarmacked roads and in urban centres and the park roads. Owing to rains that had pounded the lower Coastal belt, the park’s vegetation had changed. In place of once dusty roads and dry shrubs was lush and green grass, high enough to hide even a lion.

We spotted herds of elephants grazing wearily by the roadside and several antelopes that took off as we made our way to the dam.

After about 45 minutes’ ride within the park, our vehicle came to a stop besides a large water body. In it were several Hippos swimming while birds hovered high above as they made their way onto the banks of the dam.

According to Ashnil Group of Hotels Sales and Marketing Manager, Paul Kurgat, the Aruba dam was constructed in 1952.

"It was specifically for white settlers who used it for recreation and fishing as well as watching wildlife," Kurgat said. The banks of the dam were used as a public campsite until Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) granted a license to Ashnil Group of Hotels in 2006 to put up a luxurious 40-roomed lodge unit.

Meeting point

The dam is fed by Voi River and covers marshy land measuring 85 acres. Other wildlife commonly spotted here includes elephants, giraffes and zebras and waterbucks whose habitation is near water bodies as they consume a lot of water.

"Aruba dam is a congregating point for over 50 different species of animals including birds,’’ Kurgat said. It is also popular with ornithologists — bird watchers — as there are close to 170 different species of birds.

Tourists and visitors on game drives stop by the dam to view wildlife, take pictures and head straight to the lodge to sample culinary delights and relax.

A small airfield sits adjacent to the lodge and allows for small planes, which must be cleared by the KWS to land and take-off.

Related Topics

Tsavo